Debate Watching 101

Introduction

> Candidate debates have a long history in American politics.
At every level of government—from city council to state
legislature, from Congress to President of the United
States—candidates participate in debates to help voters
understand who and what they stand for. Watching debates is an
important way for voters to learn more about the candidates and
the issues before the election. At the same time, voters need to
view debates with a careful eye to get the most information.
Candidates rehearse thoroughly for debates, making it hard to
get candid, spontaneous answers. Debates can emphasize form over
substance, such as the candidates' appearance instead of their
stands on the issues. You may watch a debate and still not get
answers to the questions you have about the candidates and
issues. You can get the most out of a debate by thinking about
the issues and candidates in advance, by viewing the debate with
care, and by continuing to research the issues and the
candidates after the debate. Debate Watching 101 provides
background information and tips to help you get the most out of
watching a candidate debate.

What is a Candidate Debate

A debate is an event at which candidates who are running for an
elected office meet face-to-face to answer questions that are
asked of them. This gives the candidates a chance to state their
views and to respond to their opponents' statements. It gives
viewers a chance to directly compare the candidates and their
positions. Candidate debates give voters a chance to hear the
candidates speak and respond to their opponents. They give
candidates a chance to present their message directly to a wide
audience. As a voter, asking yourself the right questions
before, during and after the debate can help you make the most
of this opportunity to learn about the candidates and the
issues. Debates usually take place in front of a live audience
and may also be televised or broadcast on the radio or the
Internet. A televised or broadcast debate allows many more
people to watch and learn about the candidates and issues.
Debates can follow many different formats, or a combination of
formats. The debate usually begins with an introduction of the
candidates, who may also be given time to make opening
statements. The heart of the debate takes place when the
candidates are asked questions and they respond. There usually
is a time limit for responses and rebuttals. At the end othe
debate, the candidates are usually given time to make closing
statements.

Before the Debate

Preparation will help you focus on what to look for in the
debate so that you will get the information you need in deciding
who to vote for. It will help if you take some time before the
debate to: • Follow the campaign to learn about the candidates
and their backgrounds • Find out what the important campaign
issues are • Decide what issues are most important to you •
Think about the questions you may have and the information you
want to get from the debate to help you in your decision making
• Open your mind to new opinions/impressions of the candidate
regardless of party affiliation. You may want to make plans to
get together with friends or family to watch the debate.
Watching the debate in a group and discussing it afterwards
helps to clarify your thoughts about what was said in the debate
and how the candidates performed. A debate might not include all
of the candidates for the office. If all candidates are not
participating, try to find out why. Some debates include only
candidates who have significant support, on the theory that the
voters should be able to compare the candidates with a realistic
chance of winning. Others invite all candidates who have
qualified for the ballot. Sometimes candidates who are invited
choose not to participate. Candidates with a strong lead might
refuse to participate because they think there is no advantage
to be gained by debating a lesser known opponent.

During the Debate

When watching the debate, ask yourself questions like these to
help you judge the fairness of the debate and the performance of
the candidates. The debate format and questions: • Does the
format give each candidate an equal opportunity to speak and
respond to questions? • Are the questions clear, fair and
equally tough on all candidates? • Do the questions cover the
issues that are important to you? • Is the moderator in control
of the debate? Does the moderator need to say less and let the
candidates say more?

The Candidates

• Do they answer questions directly, or do they evade them or
fail to answer the specific question? • Do they give specifics
about their stands on the issues, or do they speak in
generalities? Do they support their positions and arguments with
facts and figures? • Do they talk about their own policies and
positions, or do they mostly attack their opponents? • Are their
proposals realistic? Can they actually carry out the promises
they are making? • Do they appear sincere, confident and
relaxed? • Do they show how their backgrounds and experience
qualify them to hold the office? • Are their answers consistent
with their previous positions, and if not, do they explain why?
• What image are they trying to create? • Do their responses
appear overly rehearsed or "canned"?

Media Coverage

• If you are watching the debate on television, are reaction
shots or other techniques used to create a sense of drama or
conflict? • Are you being influenced by comments made by
reporters and commentators immediately before and after the
debate?

After the Debate

It will help clarify your thoughts about the candidates and the
issues if you take some time after the debate to reflect on what
you have just seen and heard. You can do this by: • Comparing
your impressions with others who watched the debate • Asking
yourself, based on the information you got from watching the
debate, which candidate appears most qualified for the office •
Identifying the issues on which you agree with a candidate and
those on which you disagree, and deciding whether that makes you
more or less likely to vote for a particular candidate • Asking
yourself if you learned something new about the issues or the
candidate • Thinking about whether you have more questions about
the issues or the candidates that you want to follow up •
Getting more information about the candidates' positions from
news reports, candidate Web sites and nonpartisan voter
information Web sites such as VOTE411.org. • Watch later debates
for more information or to confirm your current impressions of
the candidates